Performing Rights Organizations

A Performing Rights Organization (PRO) is an agency that ensures songwriters and publishers are paid for the use of their music by collecting royalties on behalf of the rights owner. 

Registering with a Performance Rights Organization (PRO) like ASCAP or BMI is crucial for songwriters and publishers for several reasons:

1. Royalty Collection: PROs collect public performance royalties on behalf of songwriters and publishers. This means you can earn money every time your song is broadcasted or performed publicly.

2. Licensing: They grant licenses to venues, radio stations, and businesses to use their catalog of music in exchange for a fee. Without being registered, you wouldn’t have access to these licensing opportunities

3. Tracking Usage: PROs track how often each song gets played, which is essential for determining how much royalty money is owed to you.

4. Distribution of Royalties: They are responsible for collecting and distributing royalties to the rightful parties. If you are not registered, you might miss out on these earnings.

5. Legal Protection: Registration adds a layer of protection to your copyright, ensuring you receive the money you’ve earned and safeguarding your rights.

In essence, PROs are a vital part of a songwriter’s career, helping to ensure that they are fairly compensated for the public performances of their music. Without registering with a PRO, songwriters and publishers would likely miss out on significant revenue and legal protections for their work.